Starter Company Plus
What is the Starter Company Plus Program?
The County, in partnership with the Province of Ontario, recognizes the importance of supporting entrepreneurs of all ages through their journey into entrepreneurship and through business expansion. It is for this reason that the County of Huron and the Province of Ontario have invested in providing training, mentorship and monetary funds to local small business owners in the form of the Starter Company Plus program.
Starter Company Plus provides training, mentorship, and grant opportunities up to $5,000 for eligible participants to start, expand, or buy a small business. The program aims to address local and/or regional economic development needs, and where appropriate, focuses on specific industries and sectors.
Starter Company Plus includes:
- In-class training (mostly virtual) with experts in their fields on all aspects of running a small business.
- Training and assistance in writing a business plan and cash flow projections (that may help you obtain traditional financing in the future).
- 1:1 business coaching sessions with a Business Coach.
- Individual and group mentorship opportunities.
- An opportunity to receive up to $5,000 in micro-grant financing.
- An opportunity to build your network with other local business owners.
Upon successful completion of the program, participants will submit their final Business Plan Package and pitch for a chance to receive up to $5,000 in microgrant funding.
Program Enrollment – Open July 1 – 31, 2024
Enrollment for the 2024 program will be open for the month of July. The program will run from September to November 2024.
Please see the 2024 Intake Enrollment Form. To be considered for participation in the Starter Company Plus program in Huron County, all interested candidates MUST fill out this Enrollment Form and commit to completing all program requirements. When completed, please email to smallbusiness@huroncounty.ca to be considered for the program.
Limited Space Available:
While the Starter Company Plus program is open to all eligible individuals, it is a training and mentoring initiative geared towards assisting those in need of business knowledge and support.
Approval into the Starter Company Plus program is a competitive process, and not all eligible applicants may be accepted. As the program aims to address local and regional economic development needs, Huron County Economic Development may prioritize participation based on specific industries and sectors.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, the individual applicant must:
- 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
- Not attending school full time nor returning to school.
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Ontario.
- Proposing a new company, expansion of an existing company or buying a business in Huron County that is typically less than five years old.
- Be prepared to commit a minimum of 25 hours a week to working on or in your business.
- Be ready to actively participate in business training, coaching and mentorship sessions.
- Experienced with up-to-date training/licensing/accreditation related to the business venture.
- Not in active bankruptcy.
- Not currently enrolled in other provincial employment or self-employment related programs that include or do not include financial assistance. It is possible to use programs sequentially.
- Not currently enrolled concurrently in any self-employment or entrepreneurship; training/financing programs offered by any other government funded organizations.
- Business or individual has not received a Starter Company Plus grant in the past.
- Must be able to demonstrate 25% cash or in-kind contribution to the business (ie. $1,250 is 25% of $5,000).
Business Eligibility
Eligible businesses are:
- Located in Huron County, Ontario.
- Businesses can be a new start-up, an acquisition, or an existing business that is typically less than 5 years old.
- A sole proprietorship, partnership, or a corporation where the applicant is the majority shareholder and is fully responsible for the on-going management business operations and business decisions.
- Legally compliant, following all government regulations and applicable municipal by-laws for the operation of the business.
- Operating at arm’s length from family business ventures.
- Maintaining its own books and records.
- Sales ready at the time of funding. Grant recipients must spend funds within 60 days.
Businesses that are NOT eligible:
- Partnerships where the applicant holds a minority share, franchises, commissioned sales, distributorships, or an affiliate business.
- Business ventures that are continuations of existing commercial endeavors.
- Not-for-profit or charitable enterprises.
- Multi-level marketing ventures.
- A single event such as a musical venture.
Eligible Expenditures
Eligible Expenditures
Eligible Expenses
- Equipment
- Tools
- Training
- Marketing
- Leasehold improvements
- One-time supplies
Non-Eligible Expenses (Operational Costs)
- Rent and utilities
- Inventory
- Wages
- Travel
- Cell Phones
- Office Supplies
Program Guidelines
See an overview of the Starter Company Plus program for the 2024 intake, including eligibility, training, and more.
Program Enrollment Form
This is the Starter Company Plus intake Enrollment Form for the 2024 program.
Meet Past Participants
Boundary Roasting Co.
Arend and Paige Haverkamp
With a grant from the Starter Company Plus program, Arend and Paige Haverkamp were able to spin their home roasted hobby coffee into more than just a daydream. Ethically sourced, locally roasted, Boundary Roasting Co. prides itself on providing incredible flavours.
“[Starter Company Plus] was very helpful and the ongoing support kept us on track. We learned how to build a business plan and understand our operational costs, profits, etc.…Plus, the coaches in the program were extremely encouraging and willing to dig in and provide support without judgement.”
HopeWell Counselling
Hannah Uyl
In the summer of 2023, Hannah Uyl saw an underserved opening in Huron County’s healthcare landscape and was able to help address it with the Starter Company Plus program. Offering a variety of counselling services including psychotherapy, faith-integrated counselling, and parenting consultations, HopeWell provides to a clear and constant demand in the community.
“There are moments where I felt so overwhelmed, but the [Starter Company Plus] program taught me how to keep brainstorming, pivoting, and coming up with new ideas so things could work…”
We R Strategic
Maureen Cole
A retired nurse and hospital administrator, Maureen Cole launched We R Strategic in 2023. Offering strategic planning, consulting and coaching services designed for non-profits and charities. Maureen is proud to provide for the backbone of many rural communities; their service clubs and charitable organizations.
“My advice to anyone thinking about starting or expanding a business would be to consult with the coaches at Huron County Economic Development. The team is always available to listen, help research the answer to questions or those bumps in the road you didn’t see coming, and help you navigate through them.”
Inherit the Earth Apparel
Pete Meades
Owned by Pete Meades, Inherit the Earth Apparel is an environmentally conscious running and recovery wear company. Pete and his wife Heidi are proud to be providing their community with sustainable, ecofriendly, and relevant fitness gear.
“Being a part of the [Starter Company Plus] program forced us to take a hard look at the areas of the business that we probably wouldn’t have examined. Creating a business plan, and the details that you have to sew together to make it concrete was super crucial.”
Jolt Fitness
Katie Sigurdson
In October 2020, Katie Sigurdson opened Jolt Fitness in Centralia. Providing specialized programs for every age group, Katie and her team are ready to help, no matter where you are in your fitness journey. They offer a variety of cardio and strength classes, mobility and yoga, and even offer chronic pain rehab and pain management support classes.
“…taking part in the [Starter Company Plus] program really helped me avoid a lot of mistakes that I could have made before I opened. They taught me a lot, and the grant helped me grow my team.…They really helped me clearly lay out my business plan, from a to z.”
Coastal Coffee
Ben and Bri Gingerich
Partnering with global coffee farmers who produce the highest quality of premium, specialty coffee, Coastal Coffee is a small batch roastery located on the shores of Lake Huron, near Amberley. Proudly offering crazy fresh, ethically sourced and artisan roasted coffee, Ben and Bri Gingerich offer their customers “the good stuff.”
“…it was time well spent taking the courses provided by the Huron County Economic Development. They covered different elements of launching a new product, looking at marketing and sales and everything that goes into a business plan.”
How Can We Help?
Huron County is always excited to support new and innovative ideas and businesses.
We’re here to help!
Find Us
57 Napier Street,
Goderich, ON
N7A 1W2
Canada
Phone
+1 (519) 524-8394 ext.6